Corneal topography in patients with congenital ptosis.

Purpose: To determine the effect of congenital ptosis on corneal shape, and to assess the role of these topographic changes in the development of amblyopia.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with congenital ptosis were examined and a corneal topographic examination performed in both the ptotic and normal eyes. The qualitative corneal classification was done according to the colour-coded topographic maps. The surface regularity index (SRI) and the surface asymmetry index (SAI) were used as quantitative descriptors of the study.

Results: Ptotic eyes had an increased incidence of astigmatism, bow tie pattern on corneal topography, corneal asymmetry (SAI, p < 0.05) and corneal irregularity (SRI, p < 0.05). Lack of mirror-image symmetry with the fellow eye was higher in amblyopic eyes.

Conclusion: Eyes with congenital ptosis have an increased incidence of astigmatism and a bow tie pattern on corneal topography. These features are associated with the presence of amblyopia.